An example of a high-speed bus used in bus rapid transit systems.North America Bus Industries

Update at 4:17 p.m.: House Bill 909 came up for a vote today in the House but was pulled when it appeared there would not be enough votes for passage. It's future remains uncertain.

LANSING, MI -- Michigan Democrats today promised to fight back against what they are calling a "war on workers," and they made a House Transportation Committee hearing the first battleground.

Democrats on the committee sat out a vote on legislation that would create a Southeast Michigan Regional Transit Authority, which is one of Gov. Rick Snyder's top agenda items in the current lame-duck session.

Democrats are concerned that agenda also includes right-to-work legislation that they are opposed to, and state Rep. Doug Geiss (D-Taylor) said the committee vote was the "first salvo" in the fight over that issue.

"We sent a message today," Geiss said following a heated press conference attended by House and Senate Democrats. "We passed on the votes of something we truly believe in. We said we're not going to participate. If you're not willing to work with us on all issues, then unfortunately, we can't work with you."

Their vote, however, ended up being largely symbolic, as all Republicans on the committee approved the regional transit legislation, advancing it to the full House, where it is again likely to face Democratic opposition.

"I think you're going to see this in other committees and on the floor until (right-to-work) is taken off," Geiss said. "This is really an attack on working men and women."

The state Senate approved the regional transit authority last week, and Sen. Bert Johnson (D-Detroit) said today he believes the legislation will find enough Republican support in the House to survive right to work-fueled opposition from his Democratic colleagues.

The main bill would create an authority and establish a governing board comprised of one representative of the governor, one representative of the Detroit mayor and two representatives each selected by county executives in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw.

The authority would be tasked with developing a regional transportation plan, serving as a recipient for state and federal grants, coordinating routes between existing bus networks and implementing a new rolling rapid transit system.

Initial plans call for high speed buses to run in dedicated lanes on four regional routes: The Woodward corridor from Detroit to Pontiac, the Gratiot corridor from Detroit to Mt. Clemens, a northern cross-county line from Pontiac to Mt. Clemens and a western cross-county line from Detroit to Ann Arbor.

Each county would be considered a provisional member of the authority and would not receive voting power or transportation service until local voters approve a special assessment or vehicle registration fee to help fund the system.

The House could vote on the legislation as soon as this afternoon.

During today's hearing, Detroit Regional Chamber CEO Sandy K. Baruah spoke in support of the RTA, pointing out it would allow the region to go after federal funds that would otherwise be claimed by other states.

"It really changes the community," said Baruah, who previously lived in Portland and Washington D.C. "Anytime you put in one of those rapid-transit bus stops or a train, the economic devlopment just flourishes. And this is a hygiene factor for attracting young professionals into cities like Detroit. We need both -- we need economic development and we need young people."

Jonathan Oosting is a reporter for MLive Media Group's statewide news team. Email him at joosting@mlive.com.